Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1887-05-05

fErou Our Regular corr-sio,'dentl
WAsHINGroS. April -. 1887.


wAsHISGrox. April %. 1887.
Times are duh i'm Washington. not
a breath OF news stirring. The lentcn
season having passed. Washington
society, which is religious in form, has
reverted with zsst to sayety. The
most prominent social event of the
week was the performance Of the play
of ".Jim the Penman" at the National
theatre for the benefit Of the actors
fund.
II seems that President Cleveland
and members Of his cabinet invited
the Madison square company from
New York. They arrived by II special
train, were accorded n sperial rcel'-
ton at the White House, and were
shown many courtesies in their visits
to the various departments. Presi,
dent Cleveland occupied n box at the
theatre with District Marshall and
Mrs. Wilson. Col. ami Mrs. Lamont.
I had seat directly opposite, and
made it a point to observe. ! might
say diagnose him very closely, during
the three hours Of the performance.
Paragraphs have been going the
rounds Of the papers relative to Mr..
Clevelai,d's impaired health. I have
seen the President often during the
past two years, but have never known
him to look as well as he does now.
His face has neither the haegard wea-
riness Of his earlier days in the White
House, nor the redness of later peri
Od, when its color was frequently COM
pared to President Arthur's face.
President Cleveland's complexion is
clear, his eyes are bright, and his en-
se,nble that of II man in good health
aud heart.
The audience ut the theatre was
distinguished one. Secretary Bayard
sat in the front row. Near him was
the British Minister. The Secretaries
of War and OF the Navy were there.
and almost unmarked in the brilliant
asse,nblage sat two others, who had
been Secret aries of War and Of the
Navy in a former administration. Bel
KNAPP and Robeson.
II il evident that the M,lniiiiist ra ion
! is disposed to pursue a very conserva-
tive course with reference to the pow
ers rested in the president By the re-
taliation bill. SECRETARY Bayard
remarked during the week that he felt
that the people outside Of Massachu-
setts had never realized its impor-
tance. or appreciated the kravi,y Of
the alternative left to the aiministra-
tion-a declaration OF nOn-intercOurse,
ii it failed to effect peaceable adjust
ment of the differences between the
United States and Great Britain re-
specting the construction OF the treaty
rights Of our fishermen.
II is doubtful. he said. ii the inter
ests of San Francisco in maintaining
her present source OF coal supply from
British Columbia. aside from the i'm
portancc of the great Chicago business
connect ions with Canada. and the Va st
trade that ebbs and flows across tn.
5000 miles of our northern bOunda
AIRY, do not exceesl the interest d
Massachusetts in the results Of tn,
application Of such an alternative IL,
commercial non-intercourse. The ne
gotiatiOns with England on this sub
iect are progressing. and the secretar!
hopes they will result in a harmonious
and satisfactory understanding.
There is a probability Ofthe cabinet
or "a part OF it, taking "a trip SOutl
soon. Efforts are being made tO-da,
to organize II cabinet party to go Il
Charleston. $. G., to hear Secrctar.
I.amar's Oration at the unveilins u
the Calhoun monument. Secretar.
Fairchild has expressed his determine
ton to go. and Others are anxious t.
do so, while the orator Oi the occasion
has extended a pressing invitation t.
all of his confreres to accompany him
Some Washington newspaper mel
are in bad repute ut the White Hous
just now. At the president s reception
,, in the East room on Wednesday,, Will
he was shaking hands with about Bon
people, mostly visitors in the city
who had come to the White House t.
see the president among the othe
sights. a group Ofthese gentlemen tool
position behind the chief executive
and laughed and commented upon tn
persons as they filed by in line. Tn
criticisms were audible, and the presi
dent was so much annoyed by the dis
courtesy shown the straneers that h
turned more than once and looked re
provingly at the offenders.
These tri-weekly receptions to tn
public are for the most part attends
by strangers, As above remarked. wh'
could not be expected to be rs fa'nil
lar with White Houre receptions q
are the representatives Of the pres
who make a business OF attendin
them. Sometimes callers are a littl
awkward, and rather comical scene
occur, but this is the first time tn
! nr,,sident has ever taken occasion I,